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Diamond shopping is fun, but with so many different styles, shapes and quality options out there, it can also be stressful. Find the perfect diamond for your look with the following easy tips:
Shape
Although shape has little bearing on the value of a diamond, it can affect how well a ring works in harmony with your style, hand shape and accent jewelry. If you have oval palms and narrow fingers, for example, you should avoid heart-shaped stones and large, round diamonds. To find out what diamond works best with your hand shape, head to your local jewelry store and try on one of each of the following diamond shapes:
- Round
- Emerald
- Princess
- Oval
- Pear
- Radiant
- Asscher
- Marquise
- Heart
- Cushion
If you already have a selection of favorite rings, try to select a diamond shape that will work in harmony with your best-loved pieces (if you plan on wearing more than one ring at once). A princess-shaped diamond, for example, will not look its best when placed next to a marquise-shaped emerald.
Clarity
One of the determining factors in a diamond’s attractiveness is its clarity. The fewer flaws visible in any given diamond, the more appealing the gem is considered. Diamond clarity is graded on a scale of “I3” (imperfect) to “F” (flawless). “I” stones contain a myriad of imperfections that are visible to the naked eye, whereas “F” stones are completely perfect, with no flaws visible even under 10x magnification.
Color
Diamonds that appear yellow in coloring are seen as particularly undesirable by diamond aficionados. Diamond clarity is graded between “D” and “Z,” but diamonds that fall below an “M” on the grading scale are not usually sold by reputable jewelers. When placed in yellow gold settings, diamonds in the “G” to “J” range will appear mostly colorless. However, if you plan on purchasing a white gold or platinum setting, shop for a stone that falls as high on the color scale as possible.
Carat Weight
Carat is the measure of a diamond’s size. Often considered less significant than clarity, color and cut, carat is largely a matter of personal preference. While large, low-quality diamonds certainly stand out in the crowd, they are actually less valuable than their smaller, high-quality counterparts. If you are shopping for an engagement ring, be sure to get an idea of how your partner feels about size versus quality before beginning your search.
Cut
Cut is all about shine. The perfect diamond is brilliant, fiery and eye-catching. Cut is graded on a scale of “poor” to “excellent.” While poor-cut diamonds are generally dull in appearance, excellent-cut diamonds reflect all of the light of their surroundings. Cut is of very little importance in small accent stones, but becomes a huge factor in carat weights of ¼ or higher.
Congratulations, you’re just about ready to start shopping for your new diamond. Before settling on a stone, be sure to browse a variety of different sizes, shapes and qualities. If you decide to save money by purchasing your new diamond from a pre-owned jewelry store, try to bring an experienced diamond-shopper with you, as pre-owned jewelry generally comes ungraded.
